PHIL 210 Module Three Paper: Healthcare Reform & Death with Dignity

Introduction to PHIL 210 Module Three Paper

The PHIL 210 Module Three Paper: Healthcare Reform & Death with Dignity explores complex ethical issues in healthcare, focusing on the impacts of healthcare consolidation and the right-to-die legislation. You will analyze scenarios to understand moral dilemmas better, formulating thoughtful responses based on provided resources. This Owlisdom How-To Guide aims to prepare you for real-world ethical decision-making in healthcare settings.

Healthcare consolidation is a reality that those in the Midwest know all too well. The article below discusses several issues related to the future of healthcare. What are your thoughts about mergers and consolidations in healthcare? Is this a good or bad thing? As an employee, what changes would working in a consolidated hospital bring? How could consolidations help the delivery of healthcare in rural settings or our country? Or would it cause more harm than good? ‘Downton Abbey’ takes a realistic look at health reform. The Right to Die. In 2016, Nebraska joined the debate about possible legislation on death with dignity. Watch this video on Brittney Maynard, then read the articles linked below: Lawmaker wants a bill to allow the use of life-ending drugs.

Scenario 1: Healthcare Consolidation

To write the PHIL 210 Module Three paper, Healthcare Reform & Death with Dignity, we will discuss scenario one: healthcare consolidation.

Evaluating Mergers and Consolidations in Healthcare

• Begin by reading the provided article and reflecting on the pros and cons of healthcare mergers and consolidations. 
• Consider how these changes might impact patient care, cost efficiency, and access to healthcare services.
• Articulate your thoughts on whether mergers and consolidations are beneficial or detrimental, providing evidence and examples from the article and other reputable sources.

Changes for Employees in Consolidated Hospitals

• Reflect on how consolidations might affect employees, including job security, workload, and professional development opportunities.
• Discuss potential changes in work culture, management practices, and employee morale. Consider both positive and negative outcomes.

Impact on Healthcare Delivery in Rural Settings

• Evaluate how healthcare consolidations could affect the delivery of services in rural areas.
• Analyze whether consolidations could improve access to specialized care or lead to reduced local services. Support your analysis with examples and data.

Example

Scenario 1: Healthcare Consolidation

Healthcare consolidation, characterized by mergers and acquisitions, is prevalent in the Midwest and has sparked extensive debate. Mergers and consolidations can positively and negatively affect the healthcare system. On the positive side, consolidations can increase efficiency, improve patient care, and enhance access to specialized services (Ribeiro & Cavalcanti, 2020). Economies of scale can reduce costs, allowing hospitals to invest in advanced medical technologies and better staff training. Additionally, consolidated healthcare systems can provide more comprehensive care by integrating various services under one umbrella, which is particularly beneficial in rural areas where access to specialized care is often limited.

However, there are significant downsides to consider. Consolidations can create monopolies, reducing competition and potentially leading to higher patient healthcare costs. Moreover, employees might face job insecurity, increased workloads, and changes in management practices, which can negatively impact morale and job satisfaction (Berenson & Murray, 2022). The shift in work culture might also result in a less personalized patient care experience, as considerable healthcare systems can become more bureaucratic.

In rural settings, the impact of healthcare consolidations can be mixed. On one hand, consolidations can improve access to specialized care by pooling resources and expertise. On the other hand, they might lead to the closure of smaller, local hospitals, forcing patients to travel longer distances for care. This could exacerbate healthcare disparities in rural communities.

Lastly, advocate for the following: Make a case that passing this law would be an act of compassion for the patient. Make a case that passing this legislation would enable healthcare professionals to help kill their patients. You have been asked to advocate for a disagreeable treatment plan in this debate. As a healthcare professional, do you think it will be hard to advocate for a course of treatment that you personally/professionally may disagree with?

Scenario 2: The Right to Die

Next, in PHIL 210 Module Three Paper: Healthcare Reform & Death with Dignity. We will explore the patient’s right to die.

Compassionate Case for Life-Ending Legislation

• Watch the video on Brittney Maynard and read the provided articles. Understand the arguments for life-ending legislation as acts of compassion.
• Make a case supporting this legislation by highlighting the potential relief from suffering, respect for patient autonomy, and compassionate care.

Ethical Concerns of Enabling Life-Ending Practices

• Reflect on the ethical dilemmas healthcare professionals face when life-ending drugs are permitted.
• Present arguments against the legislation, emphasizing the potential risks of abuse, the sanctity of life, and the moral burden on healthcare providers.

Advocating for Treatment Plans Against Personal Beliefs

• Consider the professional responsibilities and ethical principles involved when advocating for treatment plans you might disagree with.
• Discuss the importance of maintaining professional integrity, respecting patient autonomy, and navigating personal and professional conflicts in healthcare.

Example

Scenario 2: The Right to Die

The debate over the right to die, particularly the use of life-ending drugs, is complex and emotionally charged. Advocates argue that passing life-ending legislation is an act of compassion, allowing terminally ill patients to end their suffering and die with dignity. This perspective emphasizes respect for patient autonomy, enabling individuals to decide about their lives and deaths. The case of Brittany Maynard, who chose to end her life to avoid prolonged suffering from terminal cancer, highlights the importance of providing patients with the option to die on their own terms (Maynard, n.d.).

However, there are ethical concerns about enabling life-ending practices. Opponents argue that such legislation could lead to potential abuses and a slippery slope where the value of human life is diminished. Healthcare professionals might face moral and ethical dilemmas, such as assisting in life-ending procedures conflicts with the Hippocratic Oath, not to harm. The sanctity of life is a fundamental principle in medical ethics, and permitting life-ending drugs challenges this core belief.

Advocating for treatment plans contradicting personal beliefs is another ethical challenge for healthcare professionals. Maintaining professional integrity requires respecting patient autonomy and the right to make informed decisions about their care. Navigating these conflicts necessitates a balance between personal values and professional responsibilities. Healthcare providers must separate their personal beliefs from their professional duties, ensuring patients receive unbiased and compassionate care.

Closing

The PHIL 210 Module Three Paper: Healthcare Reform & Death with Dignity. Challenges you to critically assess ethical dilemmas in healthcare consolidation and the right to die. By analyzing these scenarios, you will develop nuanced perspectives on complex issues, preparing them for moral decision-making in their professional careers. Key takeaways include understanding the multifaceted impacts of healthcare policies and the importance of balancing personal beliefs with professional responsibilities in patient care. In the upcoming module of PHIL 210, we will explore Patient Bias & Ethical Implications of EMR.

References

Berenson, R. A., & Murray, R. B. (2022). How Price Regulation Is Needed To Advance Market Competition: Study examines the need for price regulation in US health care. Health Affairs, 41(1), 26–34.

Maynard, B. (n.d.). Is Physician Assisted Suicide the way to a good death?

Ribeiro, S. P., & Cavalcanti, M. de L. T. (2020). Primary Health Care and Coordination of Care: Device to increase access and improve quality. Ciencia & Saude Coletiva, 25, 1799–1808.